Generous Spaciousness: Responding to Gay Christians in the ChurchBy Wendy VanderWal-GritterCommitted Christians may respond differently to gay and lesbian Christians. How can we engage those with whom we might disagree and navigate our journey together in a way that nurtures unity, hospitality, humility, and justice?

Through her extensive experience in ministering to gay and lesbian Christians, Wendy VanderWal-Gritter has come to believe we need a new paradigm for how the church engages those in the sexual minority. She encourages generous spaciousness, a hope-filled, relational way forward for those in turmoil regarding a response to gay and lesbian Christians. This book offers a framework for discussing diversity in a gracious way, showing that the church can be a place that welcomes a variety of perspectives on the complex matter of human sexuality. It also offers practical advice for implementing generous spaciousness in churches and organizations.

Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same Sex RelationshipsBy James BrownsonThe author argues that Christians should reconsider whether or not the biblical strictures against same-sex relations as defined in the ancient world should apply to contemporary, committed same-sex relationships. Presenting two sides in the debate -- "traditionalist" and "revisionist" -- Brownson carefully analyzes each of the seven main texts that appear to address intimate same-sex relations. In the process, he explores key concepts that inform our understanding of the biblical texts, including patriarchy, complementarity, purity and impurity, honor and shame. Central to his argument is the need to uncover the moral logic behind the biblical text. Written in order to serve and inform the ongoing debate in many denominations over the questions of homosexuality, Brownson's in-depth study will prove a useful resource for Christians who want to form a considered opinion on this important issue. Brownson is the James and Jean Cook Professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary. This book is especially helpful for those from the Reformed faith.

A Time to Embrace: Same-Gender Relationships in Religion, Law, and PoliticsBy William Stacy JohnsonThe author is a Presbyterian minister, theology professor, and attorney. He carefully and respectfully analyzes seven theological viewpoints regarding same-gender relationships. He also explores legal and political dimensions of gay marriage and civil unions. This is one of the most thorough, careful, scholarly books on the issue. Highly recommended.

Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian ChristiansBy Candace Chellew-HodgeThe author, a gay Christian who runs the online magazine Whosoever.org, addresses the struggles that many gay Christians face, especially those from conservative or fundamentalist backgrounds. She offers practical and inspiring insights to help gay Christians face messages of rejection.

Crossing Over: Liberating the Transgendered ChristianBy Vanessa SheridanMany Christians do not even know what it means to be transgender. This book is a good place to start. It provides education on the experience of those who are transgender, examines relevant biblical teaching, and provides guidance for Christians on how to accept and welcome transgender people in the Christian community.

Homosexuality and Christian FaithEdited by Walter WinkThis book is a collection of essays by several Christian scholars and leaders. The essays approach a number of aspects of the issue from an affirming perspective.

Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?By Virginia Mollenkott and Letha ScanzoniTogether the authors wrote a book that gives an affirming overview of various aspects of the issue of gay and lesbian sexuality. In its second edition, it’s still one of the best books to read on the subject—easy to read, comprehensive, and inspiring.

Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay CommunityBy Andrew MarinAndrew Marin's life changed forever when his three best friends came out to him in three consecutive months. Suddenly he was confronted with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community (GLBT) firsthand. And he was compelled to understand how he could reconcile his friends to his faith. In an attempt to answer that question, he and his wife relocated to Boystown, a predominantly GLBT community in Chicago. And from his experience and wrestling has come his book, a work which elevates the conversation between Christianity and the GLBT community, moving the focus from genetics to gospel, where it really belongs.

Omnigender: A Trans-Religious ApproachBy Virginia Mollenkott

Through an examination of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures and church history as well as the exploration of other religious traditions and cultures, the author honors the experience of people who do not fit within the traditional binary concept of gender: intersexual, trans-sexual, or otherwise-gendered individuals.

The Church and the HomosexualBy John McNeillThis book, written by a former Catholic priest, addresses various social and theological issues related to gay and lesbian sexuality. He shows that the Scriptures can be understood in an affirming way. Although a bit scholarly, the book is interesting and powerful.

The God BoxA Novel by Alex SanchezPaul, a religious teen living in a small conservative town, finds his world turned upside down when he meets Manuel— a young man who says he’s both Christian and gay, two things that Paul didn’t think could coexist in one person. As Paul struggles with Manuel’s interpretation of the Bible, thoughts that Paul has long tried to bury begin to surface, and he finds himself re-examining his whole life. This novel addresses many of common questions related to being gay and Christian—and does so in a way that is genuine and compelling.

The Good BookBy Peter GomesThe late Peter Gomes, a gay African-American Christian, was the preacher to Harvard University. This excellent book on reading the Bible “with heart and mind” addresses the Bible’s teaching on various issues. Read the chapter on homosexuality.

The New Testament and HomosexualityBy Robin ScroggsIn this landmark book, the late New Testament scholar Robin Scroggs looks at the Bible passages that people typically use to condemn gay people. Scroggs concludes that the Bible does not speak about gay and lesbian people as we know them and so should not be used to condemn them. For example, based on careful historical and linguistic scholarship, Scroggs shows that the Greek words sometimes translated as “homosexuals” in I Corinthians 6 and I Timothy 1 actually referred to the practice of pederasty—older men taking boys as sex partners in situations of prostitution or slavery.

Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians DebateBy Justin LeeAs a teenager and young man, Justin Lee felt deeply torn. Nicknamed "God Boy" by his peers, he knew that he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry. But Lee harbored a secret: He also knew that he was gay. In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events--his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the "ex-gay" movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible--that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance.

But more than just a memoir, TORN provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members--or who struggle with their own sexuality. Convinced that "in a culture that sees gays and Christians as enemies, gay Christians are in a unique position to bring peace," Lee demonstrates that people of faith on both sides of the debate can respect, learn from, and love one another.

What God Has Joined Together? A Christian Case for Gay MarriageBy David G. Myers and Letha ScanzoniThe lead author, David Myers, is a professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Both David and Letha have written a number of books. The book debunks myths about sexual orientation, assesses claims of reorientation, explores what the Bible says and does not say about same-sex relationships, and ends with a persuasive case for gay marriage that will benefit all of society. Well written and easy to read. Highly recommended.

What the Bible Really Says About HomosexualityBy Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D.Helminiak, a Roman Catholic priest, has done careful reading in current biblical scholarship about homosexuality. While cautioning against viewing biblical teaching as “the last word on sexual ethics,” he stresses the need for accurate understanding of what the biblical “facts” are and concludes that “the Bible supplies no real basis for the condemnation of homosexuality.” Helminiak provides cogent, accessible precis of these revisionist findings on the Bible’s six major passages and few minor references that seem to denounce homosexuality.